Good Samaritan Strikes Back At Alleged Car Thieves

Just after 9:30 p.m. Christmas night, two men were pulled over to the side of Pico Canyon Rd. fixing a flat tire on a vehicle. Another man driving by pulled over to help the men fix the car, although the attempt was unsuccessful.

According to Sheriff’s Lieutenant Mark Hershey, the two stranded travelers, 25 year-old Jose Marino and 38 year-old Leon Hardin, offered the good Samaritan money to help them get a spare tire.

The man drove Marino and Hardin back to his home nearby on the Hidden Valley community near Calgrove Blvd. When the man was unable to provide a spare tire, Marino allegedly put a knife to his throat and demanded that he give them his car. The victim began to defend himself, and a fight broke out in front of the house.

A Santa Clarita Sheriff’s station log reports that Hardin then may have been attempting to help Marino when the family of the victim came running outside. Hardin fled the scene, and Marino was immobilized by members of the victim’s family.

Sheriff’s deputies responded and, after a quick hospital visit, were able to detain Marino at the Santa Clarita station. Hardin was found some time later near The Old Road and Pico Canyon Road.

Further investigation revealed that the original car Marino and Hardin were driving had been reported stolen out of Chula Vista. Marino was found to be on parole.

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